Israeli minister defiant over accusations of assisting suspected child sex abuser

Israeli Deputy Health Minister Yaacov Litzman said on Tuesday that he would prove his innocence after police recommended criminal charges against him.

Police said that among the charges, Litzman is suspected of obstructing justice by attempting to prevent the extradition of a woman accused of sex crimes in Australia.

"All day long I'm busy only with public requests, anyone who approached me, religious or not religious, religious orthodox or secular, an Arab, anyone who approached me and I can prove it, tens or hundreds, hundreds of thousands of requests, that I have dealt with since I have been the Deputy Health Minister, and therefore I don't retract anything," Litzman said on Tuesday.

"I am sure I will prove my innocence. The police did their work, thank you very much, now go home, and now it is with the prosecution and the state attorney and I'm sure it will come out that I'm innocent, thank you very much and have a nice day."

Australia wanted Malka Leifer extradited for allegedly sexually abusing children while working as a teacher there.

Prosecutors said she feigned mental illness to dodge extradition.

Litzman, an ultra-Orthodox party leader, is a key ally of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

Police handed the investigation to the State Attorney, who will decide whether to formally charge Litzman.